This painting is a take on the opening scene in the book The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende, published in 1979. It’s not 100% accurate to the written description, but it captures the key idea presented in the opening pages. These beings, who are all residents of the world of Fantastica who don’t typically get along, don’t know each other, and have histories of conflict, come together when they recognise a greater danger threatening their world.

I watched the film as a child growing up, but reading the book as an adult and having studied eco-criticism in literature and in visual arts there are so many elements that can be read from the perspective of ecological degradation and social justice. The ‘nothing’ erases everything, creatures are displaced, those that survive are fearful for their futures and perspectives on life can be shifted from those taught and expected of what has come before. From what I understand, an environmental commentary was not the author’s intention; Ende’s intention was a story about reality, creativity and hope, including dealing with loss of hope. Yet, these themes are still key for a global future without mass extinction preceded by years of human violence and ecological deterioration.